Apparatus For A Disc Tossing Game

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for a disc tossing game is a free-standing target with a scoring sheet supported in a vertical orientation by a target support frame, which is perpendicularly attached to a base frame. The scoring sheet comprises a plurality of edge loops, within which the components of the target support frame are positioned in order to support the scoring sheet. The components of the target support frame and the base frame are elongated rods attached to each other at right angles by elbow fittings and tee fittings. The base frame comprises a number of stabilizing supports to prevent the target from falling over. The scoring sheet comprises a plurality of scoring holes, or slots, of various shapes, sizes, and positionings, through which players attempt to throw a sport disc in order to score points.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to games. More particularly, the present invention relates to a game involving tossing a disc toward a goal to score points.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Play is defined as an activity undertaken by an individual driven by intrinsic motivation, or an interest or enjoyment in the activity, associated with recreational pleasure. According to Johan Huizinga, one of the founders of modern cultural history, play is “a free activity standing outside ‘ordinary life’ as being ‘not serious’ but at the same time absorbing the player intensely and utterly. It is an activity connected with no material interest, and no profit can be gained by it. It proceeds within its own proper boundaries of time and space according to fixed rules and in an orderly manner.” Of course, that is not a hard and fast definition; play can take many different forms and incorporate a wide variety of rules, including none at all. Psychologist Gordon Burghardt, author of The Genesis of Animal Play, argues that play is not a means to an end, but an end itself. Play is an integral part of human and animal life, and psychologists believe it serves important functions such as socialization, learning about physical environments and testing limits for future survival, and in general, exercise for the mind and body.

A game is generally defined as structured playing, usually designed for the enjoyment of the player and generally incorporating goals, rules, challenge, interaction, and stimulation of the mind and body, or both. Games in one form or another have existed for essentially the entirety of human history, and even animals have been observed playing crude games. An enormous variety of games exist today, from card games to board games to ball games to mind games and, with the relatively recent advent and subsequent explosion of computer and information technology, computer games and internet games.

Numerous games exist that involve throwing a disc through the air and catching the disc, in addition to games where an object is propelled through a hole, slot or other specified area to gain points. However, no game exists that involved throwing a disc at a free-standing goal device with several scoring holes of varying shapes and sizes representing different quantities of points. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for a game where teams of players attempt to throw a disc into scoring holes of varying shapes and sizes on an upright, free-standing target.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the target support frame and the base frame.

FIG. 3 is a right profile view of the target support frame and the base frame.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the scoring sheet alone.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the general arrangement of a game utilizing the present invention, with one player in mid-throw.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the present invention with a different arrangement of scoring holes.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of the present invention with a different arrangement of scoring holes.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the present invention is an apparatus and a method for a game where teams of players attempt to toss a disc 9 through scoring holes of an upright, free-standing target. The apparatus generally comprises a target support frame 1, a base frame 3, a plurality of frame couplings 2, and a scoring sheet 4. The target support frame 1 is supported in a vertical orientation by the base frame 3. The components of the target support frame 1 and the base frame 3 are attached by the plurality of frame couplings 2. The scoring sheet 4 is supported by the target support frame 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the components of the supporting frame are made of ¾″ American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Schedule 40 polyvinylchloride (PVC). In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the components of the supporting frame may be made of another suitable material, such as, but not limited to, other plastics, metal or wood.

Each of the plurality of frame couplings 2 is a structural element that allows two elements of a framework to be joined together at their extremities. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the plurality of frame couplings 2 comprises a first tee fitting 21, a second tee fitting 22, a first elbow fitting 23, and a second elbow fitting 24. Each of the plurality of frame couplings 2 is a well-known coupling device that enables the structural elements of the target support frame 1 and the base frame 3 to be attached to each other at an angle. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first tee fitting 21 and the second tee fitting 22 are couplers that facilitate connections between structural elements at right angles in three dimensions. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the first tee fitting 21 and the second tee fitting 22 are couplers that facilitate connections in two dimensions. The first elbow fitting 23 and the second elbow fitting 24 are couplers that facilitate a right-angle connection between two structural elements. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first elbow fitting 23 and the second elbow fitting 24 are also tee fittings.

The target support frame 1 is the essential supporting structure that props up the scoring sheet 4. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, target support frame 1 is oriented vertically, and the target support frame 1 comprises a first side support 11, a second side support 12, and an upper cross support 13. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the target support frame 1 may comprise alternate structural arrangements in order to support the scoring sheet 4 in a vertical orientation or in an angled orientation. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first side support 11, the second side support 12, and the upper cross support 13 are elongated, cylindrical rods. In alternate embodiments, the first side support 11, the second side support 12, and the upper cross support 13 may have a different cross section, such as, but not limited to, an ellipse, square, triangle, octagon, or other shape.

The first side support 11 and the second side support 12 are of equal length. The first side support 11 and the second side support 12 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the upper cross support 13. The first side support 11 is attached to one extremity of the upper cross support 13 by the first elbow fitting 23. The second side support 12 is attached to the other extremity of the upper cross support 13 opposite the first side support 11 by the second elbow fitting 24. The first tee fitting 21 is attached to the first side support 11 below the upper cross support 13, and the second tee fitting 22 is attached to the second side support 12 below the upper cross support 13.

The base frame 3 is a horizontal structure that lies on the ground and supports the target support frame in an upright orientation. The base frame 3 comprises a first stabilizing support 31, a second stabilizing support 32, a third stabilizing support 33, a fourth stabilizing support 34, and a lower cross support 35. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first stabilizing support 31, the second stabilizing support 32, the third stabilizing support 33, and the fourth stabilizing support 34 are elongated, cylindrical rods of equal length that lie on the ground and extend outward from the location of the scoring sheet 4 to provide rotational resistance and to prevent the scoring sheet 4 from falling. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the first stabilizing support 31, the second stabilizing support 32, the third stabilizing support 33, and the fourth stabilizing support 34 may have a square cross-section, or comprise right-angled legs with feet extending downwards to the ground, or the base frame 3 may comprise a different arrangement of structural components to support the target support frame 1 in a desired orientation. The first stabilizing support 31, the second stabilizing support 32, the third stabilizing support 33, and the fourth stabilizing support 34 are oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to the lower cross support 35.

The first stabilizing support 31 is attached to the first tee fitting 21. The second stabilizing support 32 is attached to the first tee fitting 21 opposite the first stabilizing support 31, so that the central axes of the first stabilizing support 31 and the second stabilizing support 32 are coincident and so that the first stabilizing support 31 and the second stabilizing support 32 are symmetric about the first tee fitting 21. Similarly, the third stabilizing support 33 is attached to the second tee fitting 22, and the fourth stabilizing support 34 is attached to the second tee support opposite the third stabilizing support 33, so that the central axes of the third stabilizing support 33 and the fourth stabilizing support 34 are coincident and so that the third stabilizing support 33 and the fourth stabilizing support 34 are symmetric about the second tee fitting 22. The lower cross support 35 is attached at one extremity to the first tee fitting 21, and at the other extremity to the second tee fitting 22, forming the shape of a capital “H” with the four stabilizing supports. The lower cross support 35 is parallel to the upper cross support 13 and perpendicular to the first side support 11 and the second side support 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the scoring sheet 4 is an area of fabric that delineates scoring holes. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scoring sheet 4 is rectangular. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the scoring sheet 4 may have a different perimeter shape such as, but not limited to, a circle, an oval, or a different multi-sided shape. The scoring sheet 4 comprises a first edge loop 41, a second edge loop 42, a third edge loop 43, and a plurality of scoring holes 44. The first edge loop 41, the second edge loop 42, and the third edge loop 43 are shapes formed by curving edges of the scoring sheet 4 inward and stitching the edges to the scoring sheet 4, forming closed, continuous curves that are affixed to the edges of the scoring sheet 4. The scoring sheet 4 is supported on the target support frame 1 by positioning the structural elements of the target support frame 1 within the edge loops. The first edge loop 41 is positioned around the first side support 11, the second edge loop 42 is positioned around the upper cross support 13, and the third edge loop 43 is positioned around the second side support 12.

The scoring holes are gaps in the scoring sheet 4 that players attempt to toss a disc through in order to score points. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of scoring holes 44 comprises a large scoring hole 441, a medium scoring hole 442, and a set of small scoring holes 443. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the large scoring hole 441 and the medium scoring hole 442 are rectangular, with the width of the rectangular shapes greater than the height, and symmetric about a vertical center axis of the scoring sheet 4. The corners of the large scoring hole 441 and the medium scoring hole 442 may be right angles, or the corners may be rounded. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the area of the medium rectangular hole is approximately two-thirds that of the large rectangular hole. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the set of small scoring holes 443 comprises a pair of diagonal slots that are symmetric about the vertical center axis of the scoring sheet 4, each of which has an area less than the medium rectangular hole. Referring to FIG. 6, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the set of small scoring holes 443 comprises three rectangular holes that are symmetric about the vertical center axis of the scoring sheet 4, each of which has an area less than that of the medium scoring hole 442. In another embodiment of the present invention, the set of small scoring holes 443 comprises only one hole.

The large scoring hole 441 is positioned at the top of the scoring sheet 4, adjacent to the second edge loop 42. The medium scoring hole 442 is positioned below the large scoring hole 441. The set of small scoring holes 443 is positioned below the medium scoring hole 442.

Referring to FIG. 7, alternate embodiments of the present invention may comprise additional scoring holes. For example, in one alternate embodiment, an additional scoring hole 444 is an irregular pentagon that is symmetric about the vertical center axis of the scoring sheet 4, with an area approximately one third that of the medium scoring hole 442, positioned below the medium scoring hole 442 and between the set of small scoring holes 443.

Referring to FIG. 5, the preferred method of utilizing the present invention for a game involves a first team, a second team, a first target 7, a second target 8, and a disc 9. The first team comprises a first player 51 and a second player 52. The second team comprises a third player 61 and a fourth player 62. The first target 7 and the second target 8 are placed at a distance from each other, oriented with the scoring sheet 4 of the first target 7 facing the scoring sheet 4 of the second target 8. Each of the players stands adjacent to a target, with two players per target and with the teams split between the targets. For example, the first player 51 and the fourth player 62 stand adjacent to the first target 7, and the third player 61 and the second player 52 stand next to the second target 8. An alternate embodiment of the game involves only two players playing against each other.

Players take turns attempting to throw the disc 9 through one of the scoring holes of the target opposite them. Successfully throwing the disc 9 through one of the scoring holes of the opposite target results in points being added to the respective player's score.

Different scoring holes have different point values. For example, throwing the disc 9 through the large scoring hole 441 is worth one point. Throwing the disc 9 through the medium scoring hole 442 is worth two points. Throwing the disc 9 through one of the set of small scoring holes 443 is worth four points.

Gameplay proceeds in turns. In each turn, two players, at opposing targets and on opposing teams, make a throw: one player makes a throw at the target opposite said player, followed by a throw from the member of the opposing team standing near the opposing target. For each consecutive throw, the player who makes the throw is the player adjacent to the target at which the disc 9 was previously thrown who is not the person to last make a throw of the two players adjacent to said target.

For example, in the first turn, the first player 51 makes a throw at the second target 8, and then the third player 61 makes a throw at the first target 7, concluding the turn. In the second turn, the fourth player 62 makes a throw at the second target 8, and then the second player 52 makes a throw at the first target 7, concluding the second turn. This results in the target at which the disc 9 is being thrown constantly alternating with each throw, and the order of which team throws first in a turn constantly alternating with each turn. This cycle repeats until one team has 11 points, a condition which will be subsequently described.

The first throw is made by the first player 51 from a starting position adjacent to the first target 7. After the first throw, every consecutive throw must be made from the final location of the trajectory of the disc 9 from the previous throw. If the disc 9 lands on the ground, the player whose turn it is to throw next must make their throw from where the disc 9 landed. If the player whose turn it is to throw next catches the disc 9, they make their throw from the location at which they caught the disc 9.

Gameplay continues until a turn ends with one team having a score of 11 or more. In an alternate embodiment of the rules, the game is to 21 points.

When a team's score reaches at least 11, the opposing team gets a chance for a “rebuttal” throw. The trailing team selects one player from their team to try to tie up the score between the teams. The selected player on the trailing team makes throws until the selected player misses. For example, if the score is 11 to 10, the selected player on the trailing team must only make one point for a successful rebuttal. If the score is 11 to 0, the selected player must make multiple successful throws without missing; three four point throws at the minimum, 11 one point throws maximum. If the selected player on the trailing team misses a throw before the scores are tied, the trailing team loses. If the selected player on the trailing team brings the trailing team's score up to at least tie the score, the game goes into overtime. The gap between the two teams' scores does not matter for the rebuttal, as long as the score is at least tied. For example, if the selected player on the trailing team brings the trailing team's score over the other team's score, from 11-10 to 11-14 by making a four point throw, the situation is the same as if the selected player had made a one point throw to tie the scores at 11.

The overtime round is played to three points, and the team that reaches 3 points first automatically wins the game, with no rebuttal allowed to the losing team. To begin the overtime round, the team that reached 11 points first gets to choose who goes first, determining an overtime turn order. If the second team 6 chooses to go first, the order is: fourth player 62, first player 51, second player 52, third player 61. If the second team 6 lets the first team 5 go first, the order is: second player 52, third player 3, fourth player 62, first player 51.

Since it is possible to score four points in one throw, each of the overtime turn orders has advantages and disadvantages. The player who goes first may score at least three points on their turn, winning the game. However, if the player who goes first fails to make at least three points, the two players on the opposing team take consecutive turns, with twice the likelihood of winning the overtime round as the first player.

For example, the second team 6 reaches 11 points in the regular game, and the first team 5 ties the score, sending the game into overtime. The second team 6 chooses to go first. The fourth player 62 then makes a throw through one of the set of small scoring holes 443, scoring four points, and the second team 6 wins.

In another example, the second team 6 again chooses to go first, but the fourth player 62 only scores two points. The first player 51 then scores one point, and then the second player 52 scores two points, resulting in an overtime win for the first team 5 with three points. If neither team scores at least three points, the overtime round continues with the same turn order until one team accumulates at least three points.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for a disc tossing game comprises, a target support frame; a base frame; a plurality of frame couplings; a scoring sheet; the target support frame being perpendicularly attached to the base frame; the scoring sheet being concentrically outlined by the target support frame; the scoring sheet being perimetrically attached to the target support frame; the scoring sheet comprises a plurality of scoring holes, a first edge loop, a second edge loop, and a third edge loop; the plurality of scoring holes being positioned across the scoring sheet; the plurality of frame couplings comprises a first tee fitting, a second tee fitting, a first elbow fitting, and a second elbow fitting; the base frame comprises a first stabilizing support, a second stabilizing support, a third stabilizing support, a fourth stabilizing support, and a lower cross support; and the target support frame comprises a first side support, a second side support, and an upper cross support.
 2. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the first stabilizing support and the second stabilizing support being concentrically positioned with each other; the first stabilizing support being attached to the first tee fitting; the second stabilizing support being attached to the first tee fitting opposite the first stabilizing support; the third stabilizing support and the fourth stabilizing support being concentrically positioned with each other; the third stabilizing support being attached to the second tee fitting; the fourth stabilizing support being attached to the second tee fitting opposite the third stabilizing support; the first stabilizing support and the third stabilizing support being oriented parallel to each other; the lower cross support being oriented perpendicularly to the first stabilizing support and the second stabilizing support; and the lower cross support being attached in between the first tee fitting and the second tee fitting.
 3. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the first side support and the second side support being oriented parallel to each other; the first side support and the second side support being oriented normal to the base frame; the first tee fitting being attached to the first side support; the second tee fitting being attached to the second side support; the first side support being perpendicularly attached to the upper cross support opposite the first tee fitting by the first elbow fitting; and the second side support being perpendicularly attached to the upper cross support opposite the second tee fitting by the second elbow fitting.
 4. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the first edge loop, the second edge loop, and the third edge loop being perimetrically positioned around the scoring sheet; the first edge loop being positioned adjacent and perpendicular to the second edge loop; the second edge loop being positioned adjacent and perpendicular to the third edge loop; the first edge loop being concentrically positioned around the first side support; the second edge loop being concentrically positioned around the upper cross support; and the third edge loop being concentrically positioned around the second side support.
 5. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the plurality of scoring holes comprises a large scoring hole, a medium scoring hole, and a set of small scoring holes; the plurality of scoring holes being positioned between the first edge loop, the second edge loop, the third edge loop, and the base frame; the large scoring hole being positioned adjacent to the second edge loop; the medium scoring hole being positioned adjacent to the large scoring hole opposite the second edge loop; and the set of small scoring holes being positioned between the medium scoring hole and the base frame.
 6. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the set of small scoring holes is oblong and has a sloped orientation to the first side support and the second side support.
 7. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the set of small scoring holes has a parallel orientation to the first side support and the second side support.
 8. An apparatus for a disc tossing game comprises, a target support frame; a base frame; a plurality of frame couplings; a scoring sheet; the target support frame being perpendicularly attached to the base frame; the scoring sheet being concentrically outlined by the target support frame; the scoring sheet being perimetrically attached to the target support frame; the scoring sheet comprises a plurality of scoring holes, a first edge loop, a second edge loop, and a third edge loop; the plurality of scoring holes being positioned across the scoring sheet; the plurality of frame couplings comprises a first tee fitting, a second tee fitting, a first elbow fitting, and a second elbow fitting; the base frame comprises a first stabilizing support, a second stabilizing support, a third stabilizing support, a fourth stabilizing support, and a lower cross support; the target support frame comprises a first side support, a second side support, and an upper cross support; the plurality of scoring holes comprises a large scoring hole, a medium scoring hole, and a set of small scoring holes; the plurality of scoring holes being positioned between the first edge loop, the second edge loop, the third edge loop, and the base frame; the large scoring hole being positioned adjacent to the second edge loop; the medium scoring hole being positioned adjacent to the large scoring hole opposite the second edge loop; and the set of small scoring holes being positioned between the medium scoring hole and the base frame.
 9. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 8 comprises, the first stabilizing support and the second stabilizing support being concentrically positioned with each other; the first stabilizing support being attached to the first tee fitting; the second stabilizing support being attached to the first tee fitting opposite the first stabilizing support; the third stabilizing support and the fourth stabilizing support being concentrically positioned with each other; the third stabilizing support being attached to the second tee fitting; the fourth stabilizing support being attached to the second tee fitting opposite the third stabilizing support; the first stabilizing support and the third stabilizing support being oriented parallel to each other; the lower cross support being oriented perpendicularly to the first stabilizing support and the second stabilizing support; the lower cross support being attached in between the first tee fitting and the second tee fitting; the first side support and the second side support being oriented parallel to each other; the first side support and the second side support being oriented normal to the base frame; the first tee fitting being attached to the first side support; the second tee fitting being attached to the second side support; the first side support being perpendicularly attached to the upper cross support opposite the first tee fitting by the first elbow fitting; and the second side support being perpendicularly attached to the upper cross support opposite the second tee fitting by the second elbow fitting.
 10. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 8 comprises, the first edge loop, the second edge loop, and the third edge loop being perimetrically positioned around the scoring sheet; the first edge loop being positioned adjacent and perpendicular to the second edge loop; the second edge loop being positioned adjacent and perpendicular to the third edge loop; the first edge loop being concentrically positioned around the first side support; the second edge loop being concentrically positioned around the upper cross support; and the third edge loop being concentrically positioned around the second side support.
 11. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the set of small scoring holes is oblong and has a sloped orientation to the first side support and the second side support.
 12. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the set of small scoring holes has a parallel orientation to the first side support and the second side support.
 13. An apparatus for a disc tossing game comprises, a target support frame; a base frame; a plurality of frame couplings; a scoring sheet; the target support frame being perpendicularly attached to the base frame; the scoring sheet being concentrically outlined by the target support frame; the scoring sheet being perimetrically attached to the target support frame; the scoring sheet comprises a plurality of scoring holes, a first edge loop, a second edge loop, and a third edge loop; the plurality of scoring holes being positioned across the scoring sheet; the plurality of frame couplings comprises a first tee fitting, a second tee fitting, a first elbow fitting, and a second elbow fitting; the base frame comprises a first stabilizing support, a second stabilizing support, a third stabilizing support, a fourth stabilizing support, and a lower cross support; the target support frame comprises a first side support, a second side support, and an upper cross support; the first stabilizing support and the second stabilizing support being concentrically positioned with each other; the first stabilizing support being attached to the first tee fitting; the second stabilizing support being attached to the first tee fitting opposite the first stabilizing support; the third stabilizing support and the fourth stabilizing support being concentrically positioned with each other; the third stabilizing support being attached to the second tee fitting; the fourth stabilizing support being attached to the second tee fitting opposite the third stabilizing support; the first stabilizing support and the third stabilizing support being oriented parallel to each other; the lower cross support being oriented perpendicularly to the first stabilizing support and the second stabilizing support; the lower cross support being attached in between the first tee fitting and the second tee fitting; the first side support and the second side support being oriented parallel to each other; the first side support and the second side support being oriented normal to the base frame; the first tee fitting being attached to the first side support; the second tee fitting being attached to the second side support; the first side support being perpendicularly attached to the upper cross support opposite the first tee fitting by the first elbow fitting; the second side support being perpendicularly attached to the upper cross support opposite the second tee fitting by the second elbow fitting; the plurality of scoring holes comprises a large scoring hole, a medium scoring hole, and a set of small scoring holes; the plurality of scoring holes being positioned between the first edge loop, the second edge loop, the third edge loop, and the base frame; the large scoring hole being positioned adjacent to the second edge loop; the medium scoring hole being positioned adjacent to the large scoring hole opposite the second edge loop; and the set of small scoring holes being positioned between the medium scoring hole and the base frame.
 14. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 13 comprises, the first edge loop, the second edge loop, and the third edge loop being perimetrically positioned around the scoring sheet; the first edge loop being positioned adjacent and perpendicular to the second edge loop; the second edge loop being positioned adjacent and perpendicular to the third edge loop; the first edge loop being concentrically positioned around the first side support; the second edge loop being concentrically positioned around the upper cross support; and the third edge loop being concentrically positioned around the second side support.
 15. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the set of small scoring holes is oblong and has a sloped orientation to the first side support and the second side support.
 16. The apparatus for a disc tossing game as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the set of small scoring holes has a parallel orientation to the first side support and the second side support. 